Canto XI: The Sacrifice Decreed

The Dewy Season came and went; The spring returned again-- Then would the King, with mind intent, His sacrifice ordain. He came to Rishyaśring, and bowed To him of look divine, And bade him aid his offering vowed For heirs, to save his line. Nor would the youth his aid deny, He spake the monarch fair, And prayed him for that rite so high All requisites prepare. The King to wise Sumantra cried Who stood aye ready near; "Go summon quick, each holy guide, To counsel and to hear," Obedient to his lord's behest Away Sumantra sped, And brought Vaśishtha and the rest, In Scripture deeply read. Suyajńa, Vámadeva came, Jáváli, Kaśyap's son, And old Vaśishtha, dear to fame, Obedient, every one. King Daśaratha met them there And duly honored each, And spoke in pleasant words his fair And salutary speech:-- "In childless longing doomed to pine, No happiness, O lords, is mine. So have I for this cause decreed To slay the sacrificial steed. Fain would I pay that offering high Wherein the horse is doomed to die, With Rishyaśring his aid to lend, And with your glory to befriend."

With loud applause each holy man Received his speech, approved the plan, And, by the wise Vaśishtha led, Gave praises to the King, and said:-- "The sons thou cravest shalt thou see, Of fairest glory, born to thee, Whose holy feelings bid thee take This righteous course for offspring's sake." Cheered by the ready praise of those Whose aid he sought, his spirits rose-- And thus the King his speech renewed With looks of joy and gratitude:-- "Let what the coming rites require Be ready, as the priests desire, And let the horse, ordained to bleed, With fitting guard and priest, be freed. Yonder on Sarjú's northern side The sacrificial ground provide; And let the saving rites, that nought Ill-omened may occur, be wrought. The offering I announce to-day Each lord of earth may claim to pay, Provided that his care can guard The holy rite by flaws unmarred. For wandering fiends, whose watchful spite Waits eagerly to spoil each rite-- Hunting with keenest eye detect The slightest slip, the least neglect; And when the sacred work is crossed The workman is that moment lost. Let preparation due be made, Your powers the charge can meet, That so the noble rite be paid In every point complete." And all the Bráhmans answered, "Yea," His mandate honoring, And gladly promised to obey The order of the King. They cried with voices raised aloud:-- "Success attend thine aim!" Then bade farewell, and lowly bowed, And hastened whence they came. King Daśaratha went within, His well-loved wives to see-- And said: "Your lustral rites begin, For these shall prosper me. A glorious offering I prepare That precious fruit of sons may bear." Their lily faces brightened fast Those pleasant words to hear, As lilies, when the winter's past, In lovelier hues appear.